You be the Judge: a "TM" on a "W"
When thinking about trademarks, you may think of a word, name, or symbol to identify and distinguish the goods of one manufacturer or seller from goods manufactured or sold by others, and to indicate the source of the goods. You may have visions of the Apple logo, or Louis Vuitton's monogram trademark, but …
You be the Judge: Vuitton and Darfur
This article was originally published on May 6, 2008. We are reviving it as part of the Best of the Storque series. Enjoy! I’ll admit it: as Etsy's in-house attorney, I love reading legal disputes and thinking about what important issues each side should stress. I especially like to analyze pending copyright …
You be the Judge: Judging Pretty Woman
Sometimes in order to play judge and fully investigate a situation, I have to acquire evidence. And so, many times when I read an intellectual property dispute regarding a musical work, I purchase and listen to the music at issue. Yes, truth be told, I have an “infringement” section on my MP3 player …
You be the Judge: Garfield Minus Garfield Minus Lawsuit
As a well-seasoned judge of intellectual property infringement, you’ve judged cases regarding apple logos, a Danish design, chocolate ads, and a final resting place. For today's case docket, it's time to decide the fate of a missing feline. Garfield is a daily-syndicated comic strip created by Jim Davis. The …
You be the Judge: Copycat Caskets
In previous “You be the Judge” articles, Etsians offered opinions regarding the image of an apple, Vuitton and Darfur, and Naked M&Ms. This time, I invite our community to examine a pending case concerning a product not typically associated with the word “knockoff.” When walking through certain …
You be the Judge: Naked M&Ms
I’ll admit it: as Etsy's in-house attorney, I love reading legal disputes and thinking about what important issues each side should stress. I especially like to analyze pending copyright, trademark, and patent cases. I daydream about what points I would argue if I were the lawyer for each side and then I put …
Legal Mumbo Jumbo: What's SarahSays Saying?
Sometimes lawyers (like myself) use words and phrases that should be reserved for a legal brief, a law school exam, or Black’s Law Dictionary. But why? Why do lawyers get all wordy with these words? Maybe because of tradition, or maybe because (apparently) attorneys used to charge by the word, and now many lawyers …
Team Tip: Naming Your Event or Promotion
Team Tips are a weekly series of tips and ideas from the Etsy Teams. You can find more Teams Guides and Resources at team.etsy.com. Your Team is planning the biggest, raddest event ever, and all you need now to blow it up, promote it and let people know it's happening is — a name. There are infinite possibilities, and …
You be the Judge: Apples to Apples
I’ll admit it: as Etsy's in-house attorney, I love reading legal disputes and thinking about what important issues each side should stress. I especially like to analyze pending copyright, trademark, and patent cases. I daydream about what points I would argue if I were the lawyer for each side and then I put …
